Several readers have shared how their animal companions express their affection. I'll share their accounts over the next two days.

DEAR DR. FOX: We have two 1-year-old kittens, and we love them so much. The black and white tabby with half a mustache (Annastasha) is madly in love with me. She climbs onto my chest while I am lying down and rubs her face all over my face and kisses me all over my face. I kiss her back, all over her head and back and tummy, and she loves it. She sleeps near my feet at the end of the bed or next to me, spooning me. She hears our car going up the driveway and waits for us at the front door. She's a total love bug, and we pick her up all the time and love all over her and tell her how beautiful she is -- it's the best!

The other cat is a Maine coon. He pumps my wife's breasts and drools on her. He catches mice and leaves them dead beside my wife's side of the bed. He loves it when my wife picks him up, rests him over her shoulder like a baby and walks around the house with him. He just hangs there, his front paws hanging down and his tail totally still. It's crazy, but he loves her so much. Then he'll come up to me and roll over, exposing his tummy and letting me rub him while he does his light bunny-feet routine.

I have rabbits who will groom me from head to toe. And I massage them and love on them while they grind away.

I do believe that the more you love on your pets, the more they will love on you. It needs to start early, although I am sure there are certain exceptions. But we consistently talk to our pets and hold and kiss them, and I think that goes a long way with them feeling good about us, too. -- S.N., Alexandria, Virginia

DEAR S.N.: Beware of the cat who flops on one side for tummy touches. This attention-seeking display, as with one of our cats, can mean they get stepped on and injured or you injure yourself trying to avoid the same.

Happy rabbits have a tooth-grinding display of contentment.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have a rescue cat, approximately 12 years old. Shelby had been living in the bottom of a three-tiered cage, in a corner of the shelter, for close to two years. She took to my son immediately. She has the sweetest disposition. Over the past several months, she tucks me into bed at night. She lies partially on the pillow next to me and places a paw on my cheek or head. Once she senses a change in my breathing, she nestles herself at the foot of the bed. What a lovely way to fall asleep at night! -- B.M., Wappingers Falls, New York

DEAR B.M.: Two years in a cage, and still her spirit, thanks to you and your son, has not been severely harmed.

Shelby does sound like one of those angels in fur who enters the human realm. She was treated cruelly or suffered deeply in some way, and yet she can still show love and affection toward you. It would be anthropomorphizing to say that animals "forgive," or give "unconditional love." Rather, where there is a sense of security and no fear, their affectionate, loving, nurturing, protective and playful natures surface.

Some people refuse to believe that animals have such qualities or virtues. In the process of such denial -- often self-serving -- people risk extinguishing these finer attributes in themselves unless they are awakened by some particular experience with an animal that makes them more sensitive and empathic. Hunters, for instance, have laid down their weapons, and trappers their tools, after seeing how the mate or parent of the bird or beast they harmed and killed responded in evident grief, like the gander falling protectively over his lifelong goose-mate. I like the story of the bobcat who approached and then collapsed beside two mountain skiers who took the suffering animal to the nearest veterinary hospital to have porcupine quills removed from his face, mouth and paws. This human help-seeking wild cat was later released into his domain after intensive and dedicated veterinary care.

Cats and other animals can be our relaxers and healers, lowering blood pressure and cortisol levels. So many millions of animals help the blind, deaf, paraplegic and sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder and loneliness. They alert us to and even rescue us from danger, alert us when we need certain medications, and guard us against seizures and diabetic ketoacidosis. They help children learn to read and become more empathic, and even have better immune systems.

As we come to realize how animals have served and benefited us for countless generations, I am glad to see more people supporting animal and environmental protection organizations and political initiatives. Another upside is more people becoming vegetarians or eating less meat and supporting humane and organic farming practices.

SUMMER HOT DOG COAT ISSUE

Shaving dogs' coats in summer months does them a disservice as the fur actually protects them by preventing heat from getting to their skin. It acts like the insulation around a thermos flask, keeping the internal temperature constant. The groomers who give in to pressure to shave dogs' coats are acceding to demands of customers who think they are helping their dogs by shaving them. Keep the coats on, and keep them dry after bathing or spraying to cool off.

As for dogs left in hot vehicles, that is a felony cruelty, and dogs working or playing outdoors need plenty of drinking water.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox's website at DrFoxVet.net.)

DEAR DR. FOX: Let me start by saying I am NOT a cat person. My husband has a cat who his first wife adopted shortly before her passing. The cat is now 10 to 12 years old and in good health, so she obviously has many years ahead.

Maisie has always been an indoor cat. She sleeps 23 hours a day, is extremely skittish, tears up upholstered furniture right next to her scratching post, has very poor toilet manners, etc. My husband and his adult children refer to her as the "dud cat."

With the nice weather here, Maisie has shown an interest in going outside for the first time. At first she would step out on our deck for a few seconds and run right back inside. Now she is going a bit further afield, but not out of our yard. Considering that we occasionally have some wild animals (deer, fox, eagles, vultures, snakes) in our neighborhood, is it inhumane to let this house cat outside? Although I don't really care for the cat, I wouldn't want her to become prey for another animal. -- M.H., St. Louis

DEAR M.H.: Your concerns do make you a "cat person" in my estimation. I wish more people with cats who "love" them but let them roam free outdoors were like you!

Just yesterday, my wife and I caught another feral young stray cat who had killed a chipmunk in our backyard the evening before, and we are on the lookout for a probably indoor-outdoor, not-so-skittish cat who killed a bird in our yard right before our eyes two weeks ago.

Cats get into injurious fights with each other or raccoons, and they become dinner for coyotes and large predator birds (raptors). There are also diseases they can get from other cats and, of course, rabies from infected wildlife. Cats can bring diseases into the home, notably rabies, plague and toxoplasmosis.

There are cat fences you can purchase online to keep cats inside your property. One neighbor puts hers out on a long leash attached to a collar and a harness -- double security since cats can wiggle out of some harnesses and pull off their collars. The cat naps in the sun and wanders around the yard while the squirrels sound the predator alarm. Another neighbor has an enclosed "cat house" in the yard where two cats are put when the weather is fine.

Your cat may simply like going for a stroll -- get a long leash and attach it to a harness and neck collar, and do not pull the cat to follow you as you would a dog. Just hold the leash and follow the cat!

DEAR DR. FOX: Thank you so much for printing the letter about sister cats fighting after one was let outside by accident. I had a similar experience with my two animal shelter-rescue cats, a neutered male and spayed female, who had lived quite amicably with me, including a long-distance move, for three years. The female got out and spent six or seven hours outside, huddled under a bush, I think. Shortly after this incident, she and the male went to war with each other. It was horrible.

A veterinarian friend told me to separate them, but to move them back and forth to avoid isolating one cat's odor into a single room or part of my apartment. For weeks, I did the great cat swap twice a day. I was completely distressed and saddened at the thought of having to rehome one of them. After a couple of months, I cautiously opened the door, and the two cats looked at each other, sniffed each other and acted as if they were saying, "Hey, where the heck have you been?" Aside from a few skirmishes now and then, the problem is solved.

Thank you for your explanation of pheromone change. It sounds as if this is exactly what happened with my cat who went on a walkabout. -- C.R., Arlington, Virginia

DEAR C.R.: Thanks for adding another approach to getting two cats to establish a more friendly relationship. One popular and effective approach is detailed, step-by-step, on drfoxvet.net. Cats are deeply affected by certain scents and pheromones, which makes some of their reactions seem senseless to us, but to their psyches can trigger panic and aggression.

The most vivid example that I recall was of a woman who was held at bay in her bathroom by her cat, who became incensed when the woman sprayed herself with some new perfume, which turned out to include civet cat (anal gland) musk -- a disgusting and inhumanely collected ingredient from captive animals that is still put in some of the more costly perfumes.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox's website at DrFoxVet.net.)

DEAR DR. FOX: I have used Frontline Plus on our two Shih Tzus for 10 years with no problems.

Because, apparently, many ticks and fleas have become resistant to the original Frontline Plus, our vet has begun using the new Frontline Tritak. I used the new Frontline Tritak for the first time three weeks ago on our dogs. One experienced mild itching that began about two hours after the application and lasted for two days. However, our second Shih Tzu experienced a horrible reaction.

About two hours after the application, she began itching and scratching herself. Shortly thereafter, she started going after her tail. I thought she may be experiencing some anal gland issues, which she occasionally has. I called the vet and scheduled an appointment for the next morning. As evening approached, she became very hyperactive -- running up and down the stairs, jumping on and off the furniture, digging on the furniture -- and she never settled down. She did not sleep one minute that day or night. I stayed up with her most of the night because I was so worried about her. I took her to our vet first thing the next morning. On the way to the vet, I felt small spasms on her back and knew this was more than an anal glad issue.

Our vet gave her a thorough exam and checked her anal glands, which were empty. He could find nothing wrong with her and believed it was a reaction to the Frontline Tritak. He also noticed the spasms she was having, which were mild at the time. He prescribed tramadol, but asked us to hold off giving it to her until he was able to reach the company that makes Frontline Tritak (Merial) to confer with their veterinarian.

When we got home, I did some online research that suggested bathing our dog to remove any of the oily medication. I did this with Dawn liquid dish detergent, and it seemed to calm her down a little. At this point, she was still hyperactive, and the spasms in her body were getting worse. We knew this had to be extremely uncomfortable for her. I called our vet, and he said to start the Tramadol; he was still waiting for a return call from the veterinarian at Merial. Once the Tramadol started working, she calmed down. Our vet called again to tell us he had reported all of this to the veterinarian at Merial, who confirmed that our dog was having a reaction to the application. He suggested bathing her and applying a vitamin E capsule to the Frontline Tritak application spot.

Our sweet Shih Tzu was able to sleep that night. We had to keep her on the Tramadol for five days because of the spasms. The spasms gradually lessened each day; however, it took exactly one week before they were totally gone.

Given the experience with Frontline Tritak and where we live, I would appreciate any comments you have on what we should do in the future. One thing is for sure: We will never use Frontline Tritak again. -- K.W., Round Hill, Virginia

DEAR K.W.: Climate change, habitat change and lack of natural tick predators (quail and other insectivorous birds and reptiles, millions eliminated by pesticides) have created the perfect conditions for the spread of Lyme and other insect-borne diseases that are in large part anthropogenic (caused by human activities). Insects rapidly evolve resistance to insecticides, just as bacteria do to antibiotics. So we need stronger drugs to combat them, and in the process, harm our animal companions and ourselves. These and other similar drugs are used by the food industry on crops and livestock and finish up in our food. Both are "regulated" by the publicly funded Food and Drug Administration, which is hard torn between two evils making product approvals and market recalls.

I regret your poor dog's adverse reaction and applaud the follow-up to the manufacturer that your attending veterinarian made. This should also be reported to the FDA to add to the thousands of other adverse reactions reported with spot-on anti-flea and tick products.

Property owners can reduce such potentially harmful insects by clearing brush and raising guinea fowl, which are tick-eradicators. Dog owners should put light coats on their dogs going into infested areas coupled with natural essential oil repellents on the dogs and themselves.

DR. FOX'S WEBSITE

I apologize to readers for my website not being available for some time. It has now been rebuilt at DrFoxVet.net in a simple format to enable access to basic information about cat and dog care. It also provides review articles on such issues as vaccinations, pet foods and GMOs; what we can all do to help protect wildlife; biodiversity and the natural environment for our own good and for the good of all -- or as I like to call it, One Earth, One Health!

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox's website at DrFoxVet.net.)